Bust?
Social networks are significantly influential in today's world. The major players being Facebook, Twitter, and Google+. All of them have different usages just because of how majority of the users take advantage of the service. Tweets tend to be quick and more rapidly updated; great for sports and news. Facebook is more about news and albums about your friends and now memes (sadly). Google+ is difficult to describe because it's so new (and confused). It really is a mixture of Twitter and Facebook but stories tend to be Android-biased and more technology focused.
Earlier this week Google made some updates to G+, particularly to the individual profile layout (bigger cover picture). While many of you may have not used G+ in a while (or ever), you probably will sooner or later because Google is integrating it everywhere including places on Google Maps. Maybe I haven't tried very hard to stay organized on the network but I feel that G+ is very unorganized. It's hard to find things, I have like 10 circles that haven't been updated since the start, and not many people I know use it. I do use it to find interesting tech articles occasionally though. The most used feature for me is still definitely Hangouts; I love video-chatting with my friends on the coasts. But it is so much more than video chat since you can screenshare, play games (Warlight! Think Risk.), and other neat things. If Obama uses it, it has to be great!
Facebook introduced a new layout today; it is eerily similar to G+. The photo on the newsfeeds are larger and the layout looks simpler. I won't give to much of what I think of it since I haven't tried myself but it seems like Facebook is trying to be more open (and profitable). I don't personally like this since I like the "closed" feeling of Facebook and it's a major reason users enjoy it. It's like they are trying to mix business and pleasure (it could work out though); I think pressure from the business side and Google+ is forcing them into this direction. But only time will tell if it will be successful; in Facebook's case it may be a while since they have a reputation of rolling out features slowing. Some people aren't even on Timeline yet; and most of us are still waiting for Social Graph Search.
Now goods news, after the great 13 hour filibuster yesterday, a couple Senators introduced legislation to legalize the unlocking of cell phones! (The House will be doing the same in the near future) At least something is being done... But what a great event that a filibuster makes though; a man standing for hours without leaving the Congress floor even for a bathroom break. While no recipes were read, tweets were. For my commentary on the filibuster, check out my twitter feed! (embedded link above all the time) Follow me if you wish. (It wouldn't have been socially incorrect if I did commentary on Google+ or Facebook) Congratulations to the gentleman from Kentucky on the ninth longest filibuster in recorded history!
Unlike Senator Rand Paul, Strom Thurmond was prepared for his filibuster and lasted over 24 hours! Strom Thurmond showed strength in that filibuster but demonstrated even more strength when he was the only Senator to serve at the age of 100.